Alaric could channel the purified subtle energy stored in his heart chakra to effectively heal his wounded arm. However, that would waste the valuable energy that was best utilized for enhancing the bloodline - aside from true emergencies.

In fact, during his meditation sessions, Alaric circulated the vibrant green energy of the heart chakra throughout his blood just for this purpose.

Depending on how pure his bloodline became, he could unlock access to more powerful bloodline abilities.

However, the most important function of a purer and stronger bloodline was that it enabled cultivators to forge bonds with stronger entities and preserve their own presence and will. Otherwise, the entity could subdue the cultivators.

And, he felt that odd sensation of two different bloodlines clashing for dominance within his soul.

Alaric shook his head and focused on his arms. I’ll worry about it later.

He guided a little bit of the green subtle energy and infused it with the mana coating his wounded arms.

Next, he activated the Solar Plexus chakra to facilitate the fusion of the two different energy types and transmute it into vital energy - something that could be harnessed for healing.

He directed this vital energy through his wounded arms, envisioning it patching up his cuts and abrasions. His whole arm stung with pain but Alaric simply gritted his teeth and focused on the energy mending his arm. The process was slow but it was working.

After an hour or so, the mana crystals embedded in his arms were gradually expelled from the layers of cut flesh as they began to heal. A criss-cross of new, soft, pink flesh covered his arm that was previously wounded.

The bones of his arms still ached significantly, and the healed skin was still tender to the touch, but for now, it would do.

There was nothing else he could attempt at this moment. Alaric was completely drained of mana after this effort. He estimated it would take about a week of healing his arms this way to completely recover them, which was still much faster than normal recovery.

However, his goal was accomplished.

Congratulations! You have learned the skill [Vital Mana Flow] (Common).

[Vital Mana Flow lvl 1]

Alaric released a sigh. He checked the skill description.

Vital Mana Flow - You are able to harness the vital essence of mana to accelerate the healing of physical injuries faster than normal. At higher levels, this skill significantly enhances natural recovery, reduces healing time, and boosts stamina regeneration.

Yes, I got it! The moment of happiness didn’t last long though. Alaric intended to venture further into the Azure Caverns and level up his two new skills.

However, his healing efforts completely sapped him out of his mana. Now that he was out of mana, he would have to rest and recover for a while.

Hmm…I wonder. A sudden idea struck Alaric. Can I enter my cultivation sanctuary within this Tutorial Rift?

Alaric found no reason why he shouldn’t. Sure, he could simply leave the Tutorial Rift and then access his cultivation cave.

However, what if he ever faced a challenge that restricted access to the exit until he completed it? Could he enter it then? He aimed to experiment and uncover these possibilities to prepare ahead for such potential outcomes.

Alaric scanned his immediate surroundings for any signs of new monsters or Azure Golem Spawnling. With this area cleared only a while ago, it was unlikely any monster would ambush him unless he ventured further.

And, his danger sense remained as calm as a still lake. Still, it was always wiser to err on the side of caution.

Unfortunately, he noticed no suitable space that could serve as a hiding spot while he attempted to enter his pocket dimensional space.

Alaric shrugged and settled into the familiar lotus position. Then he dove into his cultivation sanctuary and arrived at the familiar spot - the solar plexus pagoda. Yes, it worked! Alaric began to absorb ambient mana and replenish his depleted mana core.

It took about three hours or so to fully refill his mana core inside this pocket dimension but only one hour would have elapsed in the outside world.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

I wonder whether the time dilation ratio would remain consistent inside the Tutorial Rift as well.

Alaric returned to the Tutorial Rift and immediately scanned for any danger. As anticipated, there were no monsters lurking, and it was unlikely because he would've detected any threat even inside the cultivation sanctuary. His physical body remained in its place, after all.

There was no way to determine how much time had passed inside the Tutorial Rift unless he exited and asked his friends. But he would be satisfied if the time-dilation ratio remained consistent.

Essentially, it would amplify his ability to regenerate the mana inside his core by three times compared to everybody else who lacked an innate advantage.

He pulled himself up and ventured further into the Azure Caverns. The sound of stone grinding on stone attracted his attention and he turned around. A wall opened up in a distant corner beckoning him to explore.

Seems like I found my next destination.

Stepping inside the new area, he observed a murky lake cluttered with patches of dry leaves and water hyacinth. A ring of gnarled trees encircled the lake, which extended from wall to wall.

Far ahead on the other side of the lake, he noticed an exit that led somewhere else.

Alaric released a sigh. Looks like I have to swim through the lake to reach the next section of the Azure Cavern. He dipped his toe into the lake to test the waters. It was freezing, and Alaric began shivering.

He scanned the area once more to find an alternative route to reach the opposite end.

If there was, he couldn’t find it. Perhaps, there are other sections I should explore first.

Just then, he heard the familiar beep of the system!

No…not now. Not today! He closed his eyes, deliberately attempting his best not to glimpse any notifications. Unfortunately, the system wasn’t allowing it. The beep echoed repeatedly and got faster.

As if urging him to check the notification. When Alaric didn’t comply, the notification popped up in his view even with his eyes shut.

Alaric opened his eyes and released a sigh. Well…whatever, I have to complete the challenge sooner or later. He glanced at the cold, murky water one last time before scanning the notification.

Challenge 2 - You have discovered Lake Gloom. Retrieve the Azure Pearl within the lake to complete the challenge.

Alaric activated his sacral chakra to stabilize his emotions. No use wasting time, now.

He scanned the surface of Lake Gloom for any monsters. He didn’t like what he noticed. At present, he detected no creatures that could pose a threat. Of course, that was simply an illusion.

He had no doubt the moment he dove into it in search of the Azure Pearl, a swarm of predators would attempt to assault him - the intruder in their domain.

He could handle that and was more than ready for a fight. What irritated him was how vile the lake felt to his senses. The air reeked of rust and decay - as if rotten carcasses lingered within its depths.

A wave of mist emerged from the side walls and gradually began enveloping the far end of the lake.

Alaric observed a series of stairs descend into the depths of the lake and advanced toward it. He cautiously descended the slippery stairs coated with algae, his senses on full alert.

The murky black water clung to the skin of his legs like some sort of slimy goo. His feet started itching. Ughh…so filthy. Why couldn’t the system design a challenge in a pristine lake?

He detected movement on one side of the lake but couldn't pinpoint anything under the long shadows of the tree branches. Except for the bubbling of water and soft splashes that rang just just outside his vision.

Suddenly, Alaric’s danger sense flared, and he began reinforcing his arms with a spiked mana gauntlet. No creature lunged at him from the depths, but he felt fatigue take hold of him, and the itching on his leg intensified by the second.

Why do I feel so exhausted suddenly? Is this lake draining my energy?

Alaric dipped a hand and attempted to scratch his legs. Instead, he felt his fingers graze against a cold, slimy, wriggling creature. He instinctively seized it and yanked it out of the water.

A massive black leech with countless sharp teeth and blood oozing from its mouth greeted his sight. Fucking hell!

Alaric squished the leech with his fingers encased in solidified mana. The creature screeched and splattered blood as its body was squashed.

Numerous leeches were feasting on his blood, sucking the vitality and stamina out of his body. Alaric thrashed his body haphazardly in an attempt to dislodge the vile leeches.

It was an instinctive response and wasn’t proving effective at removing the leeches.

The ring of water around his body darkened to red. His body was leaking blood. With each passing second, he felt a cold exhaustion seep into his bones and steadily drain his energy.

Alaric started trembling. No, I…have to…stay calm.

He activated his [Vital Mana Flow] skill and immediately sensed the energy drain diminish. The skill was pumping new life into him and rejuvenating his body and mind.

He focused on the spots of his body where he detected the intense itching sensation to pinpoint the mana signatures of the bloodsucking leeches.

Cycling his mana, Alaric guided it to these locations on his body and began accumulating it within the layers of his skin. Then, he attempted something drastic.

“Feast on this you suckers.” Alaric roared. All the points on his skin where he accumulated the mana erupted into sharp, long spikes that skewered the leeches draining his blood on those spots.

His skin tore from the inside, but he succeeded in removing the creatures.

A series of dings repeated in his mind. Alaric ignored them and focused on pumping mana into his [Vital Mana Flow] skill. Now that no leeches were draining his life force, he experienced a substantial improvement in his recovery.

However, his exposed wounds seared under the murky waters. Alaric gritted his teeth and cycled his sacral chakra. Unfortunately, the danger was far from over.

Something coiled around his legs and yanked him into the lake with immense force. He barely managed to keep his head above the water’s surface in an attempt to breathe properly.

Is it a snake this time? Alaric resolved to unleash another burst of mana spikes from his legs.

Unfortunately, with so much mana being channeled to heal his wounds, it was taking significantly longer to accumulate the mana beneath his skin. Not to mention, concentrating mana on his injured skin amplified the pain exponentially.

Before Alaric could unleash the attack a second time, the creature coiled another tendril around his neck and dragged him beneath the murky lake.